Jerusalem, April 3 (IANS): An Israeli youth who was presumed to be kidnapped in the West Bank was found alive, after he apparently fabricated his abduction, authorities said on Friday.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Thursday announced that it was conducting extensive searches near the village of Beit Anan in the Hebron area, following a police report on a suspected abduction of the youth, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Following extensive searches, initial indications of abduction were proven false," a military spokesperson said, adding that apparently "the entire plot was a planned prank".

The spokesperson said the youth was found alive late on Thursday near the settlement of Kiryat Arba, east of Hebron.

Israel's Ynet news website added that the youth was found with canned food and a sleeping bag.

There were no immediate details on what were his motives for fabricating the story, but police have now launched an investigation against the man.